Oil level visualization system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to oil level visualization systems. In some embodiments, the system includes an engine comprising an oil reservoir configured to hold oil; a dipstick configured to be disposed in the oil reservoir and measure oil level in the oil reservoir; a strip comprising a front surface comprising an oil absorbent material and a rear surface configured to confront the dipstick; and a fastener configured to removably attach the strip to the dipstick. In other embodiments, a strip comprising an oil absorbent material is provided in place of a conventional dipstick. In both embodiments, oil from the oil reservoir is configured to absorb to the oil absorbent material and absorbing of the oil to the oil absorbent material is configured to provide a stain on the oil absorbent material visible to the naked eye. The present invention also relates to methods of using the same.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/195,664, filed Jul. 22, 2015, to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/216,170, filed Sep. 9, 2015, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/246,202, filed Oct. 26, 2015, the entire contents ofthe all of the above are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to oil level visualization systems.

Background of the Invention

Dipsticks are commonly used to measure oil levels in car engines, lawnmower engines and other engines. As known to those of ordinary skill,engine oil level is typically read by an individual removing a metaldipstick from the oil reservoir, wiping the oil off the dipstick,re-inserting the dipstick into the reservoir, removing the dipstick fromthe reservoir, and then observing the oil level on the dipstick inreference to a marker, e.g., raised indicia on the dipstick. Visualizingoil level on the dipstick was much easier years ago, when oil wasdarker. However, most of the oil used today is clearer, slicker, andvery hard to visualize on a dipstick.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,418,788 teaches a method for determining transmissionoil level by using a thermochromic plastic billet secured to a dipstick.The thermochromic plastic is configured to change colors when thetransmission oil is at a desired temperature, namely, 150 degreesFahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius). The system of the aforementioned patentis not designed to be used when the oil is at ambient temperature(because among other things the thermochromic material would not changecolor). In addition, plastics generally do not absorb oil, andthermochromic plastics may be more costly than the present invention.

Thus, there is a continuing need for easy to make and use methods forvisualizing oil level in an engine, especially for methods that are notdependent on oil temperature and may be undertaken when the oil is atambient temperature (e.g., a typical oil change).

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a dipstick visualization system asdescribed herein. In some embodiments, the system includes: a) an enginecomprising an oil reservoir configured to hold oil; b) a dipstickconfigured to be disposed in the oil reservoir and measure oil level inthe oil reservoir; c) a strip comprising a front surface comprising anoil absorbent material and a rear surface configured to confront thedipstick; and d) a fastener configured to removably attach the oilabsorbent material (more particularly the strip) to the dipstick,wherein oil from the oil reservoir is configured to absorb to the oilabsorbent material and absorbing of the oil to the oil absorbentmaterial is configured to provide a stain on the oil absorbent materialvisible to the naked eye.

Optionally, the fastener is selected from the group consisting of anadhesive sticker, a clip, and a magnet. Optionally, the fastener is anadhesive sticker and the adhesive sticker is located on the rear surfaceof the strip. Optionally, the adhesive sticker comprises an adhesive anda removable paper or paper-based backing configured to cover theadhesive until the adhesive confronts the dipstick. Optionally, thestrip comprises a top end, a bottom end, a length extending from the topend to the bottom end, at least one pull tab located at an end of thestrip, the at least one pull tab having a rear surface designed toconfront the dipstick. Optionally, the oil absorbent material iscomprised of a cellulosic material, such as paper or paper-basedmaterial, e.g., paper board and paper cardstock, and the cellulosicmaterial forms all or substantially all of the front surface of thestrip. Optionally, the oil absorbent material is comprised of cloth.Optionally, the oil absorbent material is comprised of felt. Optionally,the strip front surface is comprised of a paper-based material,preferably paper board or paper cardstock. Optionally, the strip rearsurface is comprised of brass and the strip front surface is comprisedof a paper-based material. Optionally, oil in the oil reservoir isconfigured to absorb to the oil absorbent material at ambienttemperature and absorbing of the oil to the oil absorbent material isconfigured to provide a stain visible to the naked eye at ambienttemperature. Optionally, oil in the oil reservoir is configured toabsorb to the oil absorbent material independent of the oil temperatureand absorbing of the oil to the oil absorbent material is configured toprovide a stain visible to the naked eye. Optionally, the strip has atop end, a bottom end, a length extending from the top end to the bottomend of from about 1 inch to about 1¾ inches and a width perpendicular tothe length of from about 3/16 inches to about 5/16 inches. Optionally,the strip width is wider at the top end and at the bottom end.Optionally, the strip comprises at least one indicia. Optionally, thedipstick is comprised of metal

The present disclosure also provides a method of using an oil levelvisualization system comprising: a) providing an engine comprising anoil reservoir configured to hold oil; b)

providing a dipstick configured to be disposed in the oil reservoir andmeasure oil level in the oil reservoir; c) providing an oil absorbentmaterial comprising a rear surface configured to confront the dipstick;d) providing a fastener configured to removably attach the oil absorbentmaterial to the dipstick; e) using the fastener to removably attach theoil absorbent material to the dipstick; and f) absorbing oil from theoil reservoir to the oil absorbent material to provide a stain on theoil absorbent material visible to the naked eye.

Optionally, the method further includes: g) removing the oil absorbentmaterial from the dipstick.

In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a methodof using an oil level visualization system comprising: a) providing anengine comprising an oil reservoir configured to hold oil, the oilreservoir comprising a dipstick configured to measure oil level in theoil reservoir; b) removing the dipstick from the oil reservoir; c)providing a strip comprising a backing and an oil absorbent material,the strip having a top end, a bottom end, a length extending from thetop end to the bottom end, and a width perpendicular to the length; d)inserting the strip into the oil reservoir; and e) absorbing oil fromthe oil reservoir to the oil absorbent material to provide a stain onthe oil absorbent material visible to the naked eye.

Optionally, the method further comprises drawing at least one line onthe oil absorbent material prior to step d). Optionally, the methodfurther comprises drawing a plurality of lines on the oil absorbentmaterial prior to step d). Optionally, at least one of the plurality oflines is adjacent to the top end. Optionally, the oil absorbent materialis comprised of a cellulosic material. Optionally, the oil absorbentmaterial is comprised of paper cardstock or paper board. Optionally, thestrip is capable of being bent by a user with his/her hands. Optionally,the method further comprises the step of f) removing the strip from theoil reservoir. Optionally, the method further comprises the step ofbending the top end relative to the bottom end prior to step d).Optionally, oil in the oil reservoir is configured to absorb to the oilabsorbent material at ambient temperature and absorbing of the oil tothe oil absorbent material is configured to provide a stain visible tothe naked eye at ambient temperature. Optionally, oil in the oilreservoir is configured to absorb to the oil absorbent materialindependent of the oil temperature and absorbing of the oil to the oilabsorbent material is configured to provide a stain visible to the nakedeye. Optionally, the strip comprises a thickness perpendicular to thestrip length and strip width and further wherein the thickness is fromabout 0.015 inches to about 0.3 inches. Optionally, the backing ismetallic or plastic. Optionally, the strip further comprises adouble-sided adhesive located between the backing and oil absorbentmaterial, the double-sided adhesive securing the oil absorbent materialto the backing. Optionally, the top end of the strip is rolled to createa handle. Optionally, the handle is generally circular in shape.Optionally, the length of the strip is from about 4 inches to about 35inches and further wherein width of the strip is from about 0.15 inchesto about 0.5 inches. Optionally, the length of the strip is from about20 inches to about 35 inches.

In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a methodof using an oil level visualization system comprising: a) providing anengine comprising an oil reservoir configured to hold oil, the oilreservoir comprising a dipstick configured to measure oil level in theoil reservoir; b) removing the dipstick from the oil reservoir; c)providing a strip comprising an oil absorbent material, the strip havinga top end, a bottom end, a length extending from the top end to thebottom end, a left side, a right side and a width extending from theleft side to the right side and perpendicular to the length; d)inserting the strip into the oil reservoir; and e) absorbing oil fromthe oil reservoir to the oil absorbent material to provide a stain onthe oil absorbent material visible to the naked eye.

Optionally, the method further comprises drawing at least one line onthe oil absorbent material prior to step d). Optionally, the methodfurther comprises drawing a plurality of lines on the oil absorbentmaterial prior to step d). Optionally, at least one of the plurality oflines is adjacent to the top end. Optionally, at least one of theplurality of lines is adjacent to the bottom end. Optionally, the oilabsorbent material is comprised of a cellulosic material. Optionally,the oil absorbent material is comprised of paper cardstock or paperboard. Optionally, the strip consists essentially of paper cardstock orpaper board. Optionally, the strip is capable of being bent by a userwith his/her hands. Optionally, the method further comprises the step off) removing the strip from the oil reservoir. Optionally, the methodfurther comprises the step of bending a segment of the strip relative tothe bottom end prior to step d). Optionally, after bending, the segmentis generally perpendicular to the remainder of the strip. Optionally,oil in the oil reservoir is configured to absorb to the oil absorbentmaterial at ambient temperature and absorbing of the oil to the oilabsorbent material is configured to provide a stain visible to the nakedeye at ambient temperature. Optionally, oil in the oil reservoir isconfigured to absorb to the oil absorbent material independent of theoil temperature and absorbing of the oil to the oil absorbent materialis configured to provide a stain visible to the naked eye. Optionally,the strip comprises a front surface, a rear surface, a thicknessextending from the front surface to the rear surface, the thicknessperpendicular to the strip length and strip width and further whereinthe thickness is from about 0.05 inches to about 0.3 inches. Optionally,the top end of the strip is rolled to create a handle. Optionally, thehandle is generally circular in shape. Optionally, the length of thestrip is from about 4 inches to about 35 inches. Optionally, the stripcomprises a variable width. Optionally, the left side of the stripcomprises a left indentation adjacent to the bottom end of the strip andthe right side of the strip comprise right indentation adjacent to thebottom end of the strip, the left indentation comprising a leftindentation top end, a left indentation bottom end, and a leftindentation length extending from the left indentation top end to theleft indentation bottom end, the right indentation comprising a rightindentation top end, a right indentation bottom end, and a rightindentation length extending from the right indentation top end to theright indentation bottom end, the left indentation top end, the leftindentation bottom end, the right indentation top end and the rightindentation bottom end defining a tapered segment of the strip.Optionally, the distance from the left indentation top end to the rightindentation top end is from about 0.05 to about 0.25 less than the widthof the strip directly above the left indentation top end and the rightindentation. Optionally, the distance from the left indentation top endto the right indentation top end is between about 0.1 to about 0.2inches and further wherein the width of the strip directly above theleft indentation top end and the right indentation top end is from about0.15 inches to about 0.35 inches. Optionally, the method furthercomprises drawing at least one line on the oil absorbent material in thetapered segment prior to step d). Optionally, the oil reservoir furthercomprises a dipstick tube and further wherein the method furthercomprises wiping a segment of the strip adjacent the tapered segmentagainst a side of the dipstick tube during step d) and after step e)(i.e., both while inserting the strip into the oil reservoir andremoving the strip from the oil reservoir). Optionally, the leftindentation and the right indentation are generally rectangular inshape. Optionally, the length of the strip is from about 20 inches toabout 35 inches.

In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a methodof using an oil level visualization system comprising:

a) providing a dipstick package comprising:

i) a package backing comprising a package backing front surface, apackage backing rear surface, a package backing top end, a packagebacking bottom end, a package backing length extending from the packagebacking top end to the package backing bottom end, a package backingleft side, a package backing right side, and a package backing widthextending from the package backing left side to the package packingright side;

ii) a plurality of adjacent strips located on the package backing frontsurface, each of the plurality of adjacent strips contacting the packagebacking front surface, each of the plurality of adjacent stripscomprising an oil absorbent material, a top end, a bottom end, a lengthextending from the top end to the bottom end, a left side, a right side,and a width extending from the left side to the right side, the width ofthe plurality of adjacent strips generally parallel to the packagebacking width and the length of the plurality of adjacent stripsgenerally parallel to the package backing length;

iii) a plurality of slots located between adjacent sides of adjacentstrips and partially separating adjacent strips, each slot having a slotlength generally parallel to the strip length, the plurality of slotslocated in front of the backing front surface;

iv) a plurality of bridges connecting adjacent strips, each bridgeintegral with the strips connected by the bridge and comprised of thesame material as the strips connected by the bridge, each bridgeinterrupting a slot; and

v) a fastener connecting the plurality of adjacent strips to the packagebacking;

b) separating a strip from the other strips and the package backing;

c) providing an engine comprising an oil reservoir configured to holdoil, the oil reservoir comprising a dipstick configured to measure oillevel in the oil reservoir;

d) removing the dipstick from the oil reservoir;

e) inserting the strip separated from the other strips and the packagebacking into the oil reservoir; and

f) absorbing oil from the oil reservoir to the oil absorbent material ofthe strip separated from the other strips and the package backing toprovide a stain on the oil absorbent material visible to the naked eye.

Optionally, the fastener is a cord. Optionally, the cord passes throughat least two of the slots. Optionally, the cord passes through at leasttwo fastener holes in the package backing, the at least two fastenerholes extending from the package backing front surface to the packagebacking rear surface. Optionally, the method further comprises drawingat least one line on the oil absorbent material of the plurality ofadjacent strips prior to step b). Optionally, the at least one line isgenerally parallel to the widths of the plurality of strips and to thepackage backing width. Optionally, the package backing width is greaterthan the combined width of the plurality of adjacent strips. Optionallythe package backing length is greater than the length of each of theplurality of adjacent strips. Optionally, the package backing furthercomprises a hanger hole extending from the package backing front surfaceto the package backing rear surface. In still further embodiments, thepresent disclosure provides a method of using an oil level visualizationsystem comprising: a) providing an engine comprising an oil reservoirconfigured to hold oil, the oil reservoir comprising a dipstickconfigured to measure oil level in the oil reservoir; b) removing thedipstick from the oil reservoir; c) providing a strip having a top end,a bottom end, a length extending from the top end to the bottom end, awidth perpendicular to the length, and a thickness perpendicular to thewidth and the length; d) providing a tube comprised of an oil absorbentmaterial, the tube comprising a hollow interior receiving the strip (thetube may be positioned on the strip by the user or may be suppliedalready attached from the manufacturer); e) inserting at least thebottom end of the strip and the tube into the oil reservoir; and f)absorbing oil from the oil reservoir to the tube to provide a stain onthe tube visible to the naked eye.

Optionally, the strip and the tube are comprised of different materials.For example, the strip may be comprised of a heat-resistant, non-oilabsorbent material (e.g., plastic), and the oil absorbent materialforming the tube may be a cellulosic material (e.g., a paper-basedmaterial). Optionally, prior to step e) the tube comprises at least oneindicia visible to the naked eye, the indicia configured to provide areading on the oil level in the reservoir to a user. Optionally, step e)comprises inserting the bottom end of the strip before the tube into theoil reservoir. Optionally, the strip comprises a bottom flange adjacentto the bottom end, the tube comprises a tube width parallel to the stripwidth and a tube thickness parallel to the strip thickness, the bottomflange comprises a bottom flange width parallel to the strip width and abottom flange thickness parallel to the strip thickness and the bottomflange width is greater than the tube width and the bottom flangethickness is greater than the tube thickness. Optionally, the bottomflange is rounded and thus it will be understood that the aforementionedbottom flange width and thickness refer to the maximum width andthickness of the bottom flange. Optionally, the bottom flange isintegral to the strip. Optionally, after step d), the method furthercomprises sliding a tube stop comprising a tube stop slot from the striptop end toward the tube and the strip bottom end, and further whereinthe tube stop comprises a fastener configured to attach the tube stop tothe strip. (The slot of the tube stops receive the strips and ispreferably located in the center of the tube stop width and extendsalong the length of the tube stop). Optionally, the strip comprises aplurality of teeth spaced along the strip length and the tube stopfastener comprises a ratchet configured to engage the plurality of teethand allow the tube stop to travel towards the tube and the bottom end ofthe strip. Optionally, the ratchet of the tube stop is configured toprevent the tube stop from traveling towards the top end of the strip.Optionally, the tube comprises a tube width parallel to the strip widthand a tube thickness parallel to the strip thickness, wherein the tubestop comprises a tube stop width parallel to the strip width and a tubestop thickness parallel to the strip thickness and further wherein thetube stop width is greater than the tube width and further wherein thetube stop thickness is greater than the tube thickness. Optionally, thetube is generally cylindrical in shape and the tube stop comprises aflat bottom end configured to contact the tube and a rounded top end andthe tube stop tapers from the tube bottom end to the tube top end. Thus,the recited tube stop width and thickness refers to the maximum tubestop width and thickness. Optionally, wherein the method furthercomprises sliding a top flange having a slot from the strip top endtoward the tube prior to step e). (The top flange slot receives thestrip and is preferably located in the center of the top flange widthand extends along the length of the top flange). Optionally, the top endof the strip and the top flange are not inserted in the oil reservoirduring steps a)-f). (Optionally, the width and thickness of top flangeare greater than the width and thickness of the strip, excluding thebottom flange, so that the top flange is bigger than the top of the oilreservoir—e.g., the top of the dipstick tube). Optionally, the stripcomprises a plurality of teeth spaced along the strip length and the topflange comprises a ratchet configured to engage the plurality of teethand allow the top flange to travel towards the bottom end of the strip.Optionally, the ratchet of the top flange is configured to prevent thetop flange from traveling towards the top end of the strip. Optionally,the user places his fingers between the top end of the strip and the topflange during steps e)-f). Optionally, oil in the oil reservoir isconfigured to absorb to the tube at ambient temperature. Optionally, oilin the oil reservoir is configured to absorb to the tube independent ofthe oil temperature.

The present disclosure also provides a method of using an oil levelvisualization system comprising: a) providing an engine comprising anoil reservoir configured to hold oil, the oil reservoir comprising adipstick configured to measure oil level in the oil reservoir; b)removing the dipstick from the oil reservoir; c) providing a striphaving a top end, a bottom end, a length extending from the top end tothe bottom end, a width perpendicular to the length, and a thicknessperpendicular to the width and the length; d) providing an oil absorbentmaterial attached to the strip, the oil absorbent material comprised ofa material different than the material comprising the strip; e)inserting at least the bottom end of the strip and the oil absorbentmaterial into the oil reservoir; and f) absorbing oil from the oilreservoir to the oil absorbent material to provide a stain on the oilabsorbent material visible to the naked eye.

The oil absorbent material may be in the form of the aforementioned tubeand the system may further include one or more features of the priorembodiment, such as the bottom flange, the top flange, and the tube stopas well as the ratchets.

The present disclosure also provides an oil level visualization systemcomprising: a) a strip comprised of a heat-resistant, non-oil absorbentmaterial and having a top end, a bottom end, a length extending from thetop end to the bottom end, a width perpendicular to the length, and athickness perpendicular to the width and the length; b) a plurality ofteeth spaced about the strip length; c) a tube comprised of an oilabsorbent material, the tube comprising a hollow interior receiving thestrip, a tube width parallel to the strip width and a tube thicknessparallel to the strip thickness, the tube width greater than the stripwidth and the tube thickness greater than the strip thickness, the tubecomprised of a different material than the strip; d) a rounded bottomflange fixed to the strip bottom end and comprising a bottom flangewidth parallel to the strip width and a bottom flange thickness parallelto the strip thickness and further wherein the bottom flange width isgreater than the tube width and further wherein the bottom flangethickness is greater than the tube thickness; e) a tube stop locatedbetween the tube and the strip top end, the tube stop comprising a tubestop ratchet configured to engage the plurality of teeth and allow thetube stop to travel towards the tube and the bottom end of the strip,the tube stop comprising a tube stop width parallel to the strip widthand a tube stop thickness parallel to the strip thickness and furtherwherein the tube stop width is substantially the same size as the bottomflange width and the tube stop thickness is substantially the same sizeas the bottom flange thickness; and f) a top flange located between thetube stop and the top end of the strip, the top flange comprising a topflange ratchet configured to engage the plurality of teeth and allow thetop flange to travel towards the tube stop, the tube and the bottom endof the strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side, perspective view of a prior art dipstick,engine and oil reservoir.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front, perspective view of a strip of oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear, perspective view of the strip of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded, front, perspective view of a dipstickvisualization system of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled, front, perspective view of the dipstickvisualization system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates an assembled, front, perspective view of a dipstickvisualization system of another embodiment of the present invention; thesystem of FIG. 6 uses magnets on the strip rear surface to attach thestrip to a metal dipstick; an oil stain is shown on FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top, perspective view of a strip that includesmultiple layers.

FIG. 8A illustrates a top, plan view of the strip of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8B illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the strip of FIG. 8Aline A-A of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front, elevation view in which the strip frontsurface includes indicia configured to convey target oil level to theoperator.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front, perspective, exploded view of a strip of analternate embodiment of the present invention in which the stripincludes an oil absorbent material, an adhesive and a backing; the topend of the strip is rolled to form a circular handle.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front, perspective, assembled view of the strip ofFIG. 10 with three indicia lines on the oil absorbent material.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front, perspective view of an alternate embodimentof a strip that includes an oil absorbent material, an adhesive and abacking; the strip is straight.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front, perspective view of the strip of FIG. 12 inwhich the top end of the strip has been bent by a user; FIG. 13 includesthree indicia lines.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front, perspective view of a strip of anotherembodiment of the present invention prior to insertion in an oilreservoir.

FIG. 15 illustrates a front, perspective view of the strip of FIG. 14after the strip has been inserted in the oil reservoir.

FIG. 16 illustrates a front, perspective view of connected strips ofanother embodiment of the present invention for use in a package.

FIG. 17 illustrates a front, perspective view of a package of connectedstrips of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a front, exploded perspective view of an oil levelvisualization system of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a front, assembled perspective view of the oil levelvisualization system of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-9, the present invention provides a dipstickvisualization system designated by the numeral 10. In the drawings, notall reference numbers are included in each drawing for the sake ofclarity.

Referring further to FIGS. 1-9, in some embodiments, the system 10includes: a) an engine 12 comprising an oil reservoir 14 configured tohold oil; b) a dipstick 18 configured to be disposed in the oilreservoir 14 and measure oil level in the oil reservoir 14; c) a strip20 comprising a front surface 22 comprising an oil absorbent material 24and a rear surface 26 configured to confront the dipstick 18; and d) afastener 40 configured to removably attach the oil absorbent material 24to the dipstick 18. (FIG. 1 is labelled prior art to reflect that engineoil dipsticks 18 without the strip are known in the art). Optionally,the dipstick 18 has a handle 50. Oil from the oil reservoir 14 isconfigured to absorb to the oil absorbent material 24 and absorbing ofthe oil to the oil absorbent material 24 is configured to provide astain on the oil absorbent material 24 visible to the naked eye.Optionally, the fastener 40 is an adhesive sticker, a clip, or a magnet.For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the strip front surface 22 may bebounded to a plastic backing 56 by a first adhesive 42A and the plasticbacking 56 may be bounded to a removable paper or paper-based backing 44by a second adhesive 42B. The removable paper or paper-based backing 44is configured to cover the second adhesive 42B until the strip 20 isused—i.e., the user removes the backing 44 to expose the adhesive 42Band the adhesive 42B is placed on the dipstick 18, thereby attaching thestrip 20 to the dipstick 18. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, thestrip front surface 22 may be bounded to a magnet 54 and the magnet 54removably attaches to the dipstick 18.

Optionally, the strip 20 comprises a top end 28, a bottom end 30, alength 32 extending from the top end 28 to the bottom end 30, pulltab(s) 46 located at the end(s) 28 and/or 30 of the strip 20, the pulltab(s) 46 having a rear surface 52 designed to confront the dipstick 18.The pull tab rear surface 52 is wider than the remainder of the strip20. Preferably, the adhesive 42 is located on the pull tab rear surface52 at all locations except where the pull tabs 46 extend beyond thewidth of the remainder of the strip 20 (see numeral 58 in FIG. 8B) sothat the tabs 46 do not roll up in the dipstick tube. (The dipstick tubeis described later herein). Optionally, the oil absorbent material 24 iscomprised of a cellulosic material, such as paper or paper-basedmaterial, e.g., paperboard or paper cardstock, and the oil absorbentmaterial 24 forms all or substantially all of the front surface 22 ofthe strip 20. Optionally, the oil absorbent material 24 is comprised ofcloth or felt. Optionally, the strip front surface 22 is comprised of apaper-based material and a plastic is behind the paper-based material(i.e., the strip rear surface 26 is comprised of plastic or, as shown inFIG. 7, there is an intermediate plastic layer 56 between the front andrear surfaces 22 and 26). Optionally, the strip rear surface 26 iscomprised of brass and the strip front surface 22 is comprised of apaper-based material. Preferably, oil in the oil reservoir 14 isconfigured to absorb to the oil absorbent material 24 at ambienttemperature and absorbing of the oil to the oil absorbent material 24 isconfigured to provide a stain 38 visible to the naked eye at ambienttemperature. Preferably, oil in the oil reservoir 14 is configured toabsorb to the oil absorbent material 24 independent of the oiltemperature and absorbing of the oil to the oil absorbent material 24 isconfigured to provide a stain 38 visible to the naked eye, as shown inFIG. 6. Optionally, the strip length 32 (including tabs 46) is fromabout 1 inch to about 1.75 inches and the strip width 34 (including tabs46), which is perpendicular to the length 32, is from about 3/16 inches(0.1875 inches) to about 0.3125 inches. In some embodiments, the tabs 46have a combined length of about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches andeach tab 46 has a width of about 0.25 inches to about 0.3125 inches.

Optionally, the strip width 34 is wider at the top end 28 and at thebottom end 30. As known to those of ordinary skill, a dipstick tube isthe metal tube or sheath that the dipstick 18 slides into in the oilreservoir 14. These tubes are notorious for accumulating oil film thatcollects on the edges of a conventional flat dipstick 18 when it isremoved from the oil reservoir 14; giving false readings. The wider ends28 and 30 of the strip 20 (shown as tabs 46 in the drawing) swab oilfilm in the dipstick tube when the dipstick 18 is re-inserted into thereservoir 14, which the inventor believes will help to ensure accurateoil absorbent reading. Preferably, the oil absorbent material 24 extendsto the tabs 46.

The strip rear surface 26 (including tabs 46) is preferably generallyflat. Optionally, the strip 20 comprises at least one indicia, such astwo colors (e.g., red 48B and green 48A) or a line to indicate a targetoil level. The dipstick may also include indicia 48. Optionally, thedipstick 18 is comprised of metal.

Preferably, the system is used in a method that includes the followingsteps:

a) providing an engine 12 comprising an oil reservoir 14 configured tohold oil;

b) providing a dipstick 18 configured to be disposed in the oilreservoir 14 and measure oil level in the oil reservoir 14;

c) providing an oil absorbent material 24 comprising a rear surface 26configured to confront the dipstick 18;

d) providing a fastener 40 configured to removably attach the oilabsorbent material 24 to the dipstick 18;

e) using the fastener 40 to removably attach the oil absorbent material24 to the dipstick 18;

f) placing (i.e., inserting) the dipstick 18 with the oil absorbentmaterial 24 into the oil reservoir 14; and

g) absorbing oil from the oil reservoir 14 to the oil absorbent material24 to provide a stain on the oil absorbent material 24 visible to thenaked eye.

Optionally, the oil absorbent material 24 is located on a strip 20 thatattaches to the dipstick 18 as described above. Optionally, the methodfurther includes: h) removing the oil absorbent material 24 from thedipstick 18—i.e., the strip 20 is designed for a single reading and isdisposable.

As a general rule, the dipstick 18 (without the oil absorbent material24) is typically located in the oil reservoir 14 in step A, the dipstick18 is then removed from the oil reservoir 14 and preferably wiped beforeattaching the oil absorbent material 24 to the dipstick 18, and then thedipstick 18 with the oil absorbent material 24 is placed into the oilreservoir 14 as called for in step f.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 10-13

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate alternate embodiments of the invention in which astrip 60 is used in place of the user's dipstick 18. Referring to FIGS.10-13, in the alternate embodiments, the strip 60 comprises an oilabsorbent material 62, the strip 60 has a top end 64, a bottom end 66, alength 68 extending from the top end 64 to the bottom end 66, the length68 being from about 4 inches to about 35 inches (more preferably fromabout 20 inches to about 35 inches), a width 70 perpendicular to thelength 68, the width 70 being from about 0.15 inches to about 0.5 inchesand a thickness 72 perpendicular to the length 68 and width 70, thethickness 72 being from about 0.015 inches to about 0.3 inches.Preferably, the thickness is from about 0.015 inches to about 0.05inches. The strip 60 further includes a backing 61 that is comprised ofa material different than the oil absorbent material 62. For example, insome embodiments, the backing 61 is metallic, such as aluminum, brass,copper, or tin foil or sheet that may be, for example, about 0.005inches to about 0.015 inches thick. In other embodiments, the backing 61is plastic, for example, that may be about 0.030 inches to about 0.125inches thick. It will be understood that the thickness of the backing 61is parallel to the thickness 72 of the strip 60. It will also beappreciated that the thickness of the backing 61 and the thickness ofthe oil absorbent material 62 is approximately equal to the thickness 72of the strip 60, given that the thickness of the fastener 63 isgenerally negligible. It will also be appreciated that the thickness 72of the strip 60 extends from the surface of the oil absorbent material62 that is not in contact with the fastener 63 (i.e., the front of thestrip 62) to the surface of the backing 61 that is not in contact withthe fastener 63 (i.e., the rear of the strip 62). Preferably, the oilabsorbent material 62 has a uniform thickness from the top end 64 to thebottom end 66 and the backing 61 also has a uniform thickness from thetop end 64 to the bottom end 66. Typically, the thickness of the oilabsorbent material 62 is greater than the thickness of the backing 61,as shown in FIGS. 10-13 and the oil absorbent material 62 and thebacking 61 have the same width and length, as shown in FIGS. 10-13—i.e.,the width of the oil absorbent material 62 and the width of the backing61 are within 0.5 inches of each other and the length of the oilabsorbent material 62 and the length of the backing 61 are within 0.5inches of each other—it will be understood that the length of the oilabsorbent material 62 and the length of the backing 61 are parallel tothe length 68 of the strip 60 and the width of the oil absorbentmaterial 62 and the width of the backing 61 are parallel to the width 70of the strip 60. Optionally, a fastener 63 such as double-sided adhesiveattaches the oil absorbent material 62 to the backing 61 and is locatedbetween the oil absorbent material 62 and the backing 61.

The strip 60 of FIGS. 10-13 is configured to act as a replacementdipstick and, unlike the prior embodiments, does not attach to theuser's dipstick 18. It will be appreciated that the strip 60 of FIGS.10-13 is also longer than the strips 20 of the prior embodiments.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 10-13, the strip 60 has generally auniform width 70 except for the bottom end 66, which may be tapered asshown in FIGS. 10-13. The top end 64 may roll onto itself to form agenerally circular handle 100, as shown in FIGS. 10-11. In otherembodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, the strip 60 may be provided generallystraight from the manufacturer and then the user may bend the top end 64approximately 90 degrees relative to the bottom end 66 as shown in FIG.13.

The strip 60 may be made through any suitable process. In one exemplaryprocess, four to eight foot long sheets of 30 inch wide paper board(i.e., the oil absorbent material 62), double-sided adhesive (i.e., thefastener 63), and backing 61 are pressed together on a specializedmachine to form a large laminated sheet. Subsequently, the laminationmachine or a separate piece of equipment horizontally shears or rotaryslits the 30 inch wide sheet into 3/16 inch wide by 30 inch long strips60. A secondary operation punches the tapered bottom end 66. It will beunderstood that the aforementioned method is only exemplary.

The user may be supplied with a package containing a plurality of strips60 or alternately, the user may be provided with a package containing aroll and the user may cut the roll with a sharp blade like a piece oftape to form each individual strip 60 for use.

The oil absorbent material 62 is preferably non-metallic. For example,the oil absorbent material 62 may be comprised of a cellulosic material,preferably a rigid material such as paper cardstock or paper board.

Optionally, as with the prior embodiments, oil in the oil reservoir 14is configured to absorb to the oil absorbent material 62 at ambienttemperature and absorbing of the oil to the oil absorbent material 62 isconfigured to provide a stain visible to the naked eye at ambienttemperature. Optionally, as with the prior embodiments, oil in the oilreservoir 14 is configured to absorb to the oil absorbent material 62independent of the oil temperature and absorbing of the oil to the oilabsorbent material 62 is configured to provide a stain visible to thenaked eye. Optionally, the oil absorbent material 62 comprises at leastone indicia, such as two colors (e.g., red and green) or a line(s) toindicate a target oil level.

Optionally, the strip 60 of FIGS. 10-13 is used in a method thatincludes:

a) providing an engine comprising an oil reservoir 14 configured to holdoil, the oil reservoir 14 comprising a dipstick 18 configured to measureoil level in the oil reservoir 14;

b) removing the dipstick 18 from the oil reservoir 14;

c) providing the strip 60 and inserting the strip 60 into the oilreservoir 14;

d) absorbing oil from the oil reservoir 14 to the oil absorbent material62 to provide a stain on the oil absorbent material 62 visible to thenaked eye; and

e) removing the strip 60 from the oil reservoir 14 and reading the oillevel.

In the method described above, the strip 60 may be pre-marked from themanufacturer with the indicia. In an alternate embodiment and moretypically, the user may lay his/her dipstick 18 next to the strip 60 andthen draw at least one line on the oil absorbent material 62 prior tostep d). For example, the user may draw three lines 74A-C across thewidth of the oil absorbent material 62 at the same location as the lineslocated on his/her conventional dipstick 18: a first line 74A for theminimum oil range, a second line 74B for the maximum oil range and athird line 74C for the contact point with the dipstick tube (so thestrip 60 is inserted to proper depth). Optionally, the user bends thestrip 60 near the top line 74C as shown in FIG. 13. Optionally, prior tostep d), the top end 64 of the strip 60 is bent by the user relative tothe bottom end 66. In addition, generally the bottom end 66 of the strip60 is the first part of the strip 60 that enters the oil reservoir 14.

It will be appreciated that the strips 20 and 60 described herein arepreferably for temporary use—i.e., disposable after one use—and aregenerally not intended to be left in the oil reservoir 14 for anextended period of time. Thus, the strips 20 and 60 need not beconfigured to withstand corrosion when left in an oil reservoir 14.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 14-17

FIGS. 14-17 illustrate alternate embodiments of the invention in which astrip 100 is used in place of the user's conventional dipstick 18. Withreference to FIGS. 14-17, the strip 100 includes an oil absorbentmaterial 102 and has a top end 104, a bottom end 106, a length 108extending from the top end 102 to the bottom end 104, a left side 110, aright side 112 and a width 114 extending from the left side 110 to theright side 112 and perpendicular to the length 108. As with the priorembodiments, the strip 100 is placed in the oil reservoir 14 afterremoving the conventional dipstick 18 and absorbing oil from the oilreservoir 14 to the oil absorbent material 102 is configured to providea stain 124 on the oil absorbent material 102 visible to the naked eye.Optionally, the user draws indicia (e.g., a plurality of lines 122A-C)on the oil absorbent material 102 prior to inserting the strip 100 intothe oil reservoir 14. Optionally, the user draws a plurality of lines122A-C on the oil absorbent material 102 prior to inserting the strip100 in the oil reservoir 14. For example, as with the prior embodiment,the user may draw a first line 122A for the minimum oil range, a secondline 122B for the maximum oil range and a third line 122C for thecontact point with the dipstick tube (so the strip 100 is inserted toproper depth). Optionally, the third line 122C is adjacent to the topend 104. Optionally, the first line 122A is adjacent to the bottom end106.

The oil absorbent material 102 is preferably non-metallic. Optionally,the oil absorbent material 102 is comprised of a cellulosic material.Optionally, the oil absorbent material 102 is comprised of papercardstock or paper board. In some embodiments, the strip 100 consistsessentially of paper cardstock or paper board. For example, the strip100 may consist only of paper cardstock or paper board when the strip100 is placed in the oil reservoir 14 to provide an economical andeasy-to-use solution. For example, in a particularly preferredembodiment, the strip 100 is made up entirely of recycled paper board,otherwise known as chipboard. Optionally, the strip 100 is capable ofbeing bent by a user with his/her hands. Optionally, the user bends asegment 126 of the strip 100 relative to the bottom end 106 and the bentsegment 126 is adjacent to (and between) the top end 104 and the thirdline 122C, as shown in FIG. 15. Optionally, after bending, the segment106 is generally perpendicular to the remainder of the strip 100.Optionally, as with the prior embodiments, oil in the oil reservoir 14is configured to absorb to the oil absorbent material 102 at ambienttemperature and absorbing of the oil to the oil absorbent material 102is configured to provide a stain 124 visible to the naked eye at ambienttemperature. Optionally, oil in the oil reservoir 14 is configured toabsorb to the oil absorbent material 102 independent of the oiltemperature and absorbing of the oil to the oil absorbent material 102is configured to provide a stain 124 visible to the naked eye.Optionally, the strip 100 comprises a front surface 116, a rear surface118, a thickness 120 extending from the front surface 116 to the rearsurface 118, the thickness 120 perpendicular to the strip length 108 andstrip width 114 and further wherein the thickness 120 is from about 0.05inches to about 0.3 inches, more preferably from about 0.0625 to about0.1875 inches. The thickness 120 of the strip 100 is designed so thatthe strip 100 may include only the oil absorbent material 102 (e.g.,paper cardstock or paper board) and the strip 100 is rigid yet bendableso that the strip 100 may be used in place of the conventional dipstick18. For example, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the strip 100is made up entirely of recycled paper board, otherwise known aschipboard. Optionally, the top end 104 of the strip 100 is rolled tocreate a generally circular handle, as with the prior embodiment.Optionally, the length 108 of the strip 100 is from about 4 inches toabout 35 inches, more preferably from about 20 inches to about 35inches.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 14-16, the strip 100 comprises avariable width 114 adjacent to the target oil level reading range. Forexample, the left side 110 of the strip 100 may include a leftindentation 128 adjacent to the bottom end 106 of the strip 100 and theright side 112 of the strip 100 may include a right indentation 135adjacent to the bottom end 106 of the strip 100. The left indentation128 may include a left indentation top end 130, a left indentationbottom end 132, and a left indentation length 134 extending from theleft indentation top end 130 to the left indentation bottom end 132. Theright indentation 135 may include a right indentation top end 136, aright indentation bottom end 138, and a right indentation length 139extending from the right indentation top end 136 to the rightindentation bottom end 138. The left indentation top end 130, the leftindentation bottom end 132, the right indentation top end 136 and theright indentation bottom end 138 define a tapered segment 140.Optionally, the distance from the left indentation top end 130 to theright indentation top end 136 (i.e., the strip width 114 in the taperedsegment 140) is from about 0.05 to about 0.25 less than the strip width114 directly above the left indentation top end 130 and the rightindentation top end 136—meaning that the strip width 114 in the taperedsegment 140 is from about 0.05 to about 0.25 less than the strip width114 directly above the tapered segment 140. Optionally, the distancefrom the left indentation top end 130 to the right indentation top end136 is between about 0.1 inches and about 0.2 inches and further whereinthe width 114 of the strip 100 directly above the left indentation topend 130 and the right indentation top end 136 is from about 0.15 inchesto about 0.35 inches. Similarly, optionally, the distance from the leftindentation bottom end 132 to the right indentation bottom end 138(i.e., the strip width 114 in the tapered segment 140) is from about0.05 to about 0.25 less than the strip width 114 directly below the leftindentation bottom end 132 and the right indentation bottom end 138.Optionally, the user draws two lines 122A and 122B on the oil absorbentmaterial 102 in the tapered segment 140 prior to inserting the strip 100into the oil reservoir 14. Optionally, after inserting the strip 100 inthe oil reservoir 14, an oil stain 124 is located in the tapered segment140, as shown in FIG. 15. As with the tabs 46, the larger width 114immediately above and below the tapered segment 140 swab oil film in thedipstick tube when the strip 100 is inserted into and removed from thereservoir 14, which the inventor believes will help to ensure accurateoil absorbent reading. More particularly, oil film in the bore of theoil reservoir 14 dipstick tube is wiped by the larger width 114immediately above and below the tapered segment 140 yielding moreaccurate oil level readings in tapered segment 140. Optionally, the leftindentation 128 and the right indentation 135 are generally rectangularin shape.

Consumer retail packaging for the strip 100 will now be described. Itwill be understood that the description below is exemplary. Optionally,the consumer retail packaging is a package 142 that includes a pluralityof strips 100A-E, as shown in FIG. 17. More particularly, the package142 may include a package backing 144 comprising a package backing frontsurface 146, a package backing rear surface 148, a package backing topend 150, a package backing bottom end 152, a package backing length 154extending from the package backing top end 150 to the package backingbottom end 152, a package backing left side 156, a package backing rightside 158, and a package backing width 160 extending from the packagebacking left side 156 to the package packing right side 158. The package142 may further include a plurality of adjacent strips 100A-E located onthe package backing front surface 146, each of the plurality of adjacentstrips 100A-E contacting the package backing front surface 146. Aspreviously described, each of the plurality of adjacent strips 100A-Einclude an oil absorbent material 102, a top end 104, a bottom end 106,a length 108 extending from the top end 104 to the bottom end 106, aleft side 110, a right side 112, and a width 114 extending from the leftside 110 to the right side 112, the widths 114 of the plurality ofadjacent strips 100A-E generally parallel to the package backing width160 and the lengths 108 of the plurality of adjacent strips 100A-Egenerally parallel to the package backing length 154. In other words,strips 100A-E are located side-by-side, as shown in FIGS. 16-17. (FIG.16 shows the strips 100A-E without the package backing 144). In anexemplary embodiment, the package backing 144 is cardboard. The strips100A-E may be partially separated by a plurality of slots 162 locatedbetween adjacent sides 110 and 112 of adjacent strips 100A and 100B (forexample), each slot 162 having a slot length 163 generally parallel tothe strip length 108, the plurality of slots 162 located in front of thepackage backing front surface 146. The plurality of strips 100A-E may beconnected by a plurality of bridges 164, each bridge 164 integral withthe strips 100A-E connected by the bridge 164 and comprised of the samematerial as the strips 100A-E connected by the bridge 164, each bridge164 interrupting a slot 162. The package backing 144 may be for examplea continuous piece of cardboard. One or more fasteners 166 may connectthe plurality of strips100A-E to the package backing 144. Prior tousing, the user separates a strip 100A from the other strips 100B-E andthe package backing 144 (e.g., by cutting or tearing) and inserts thestrip 100A separated from the other strips 100B-E and the packagebacking 144 into the oil reservoir 14. Optionally, the fastener 166 is acord (e.g., a twist tie, e.g., a plastic tie), the cord passes throughat least two of the slots 162 and through a fastener hole (not shown) inthe package backing 144 (which extends from the package backing frontsurface 146 to the package backing rear surface 148) so that the cordmay be tied on the package backing rear surface 148. Optionally, theuser draws at least one line 122 on the oil absorbent material 102 ofthe plurality of adjacent strips 100A-E prior to removing a strip 100Afrom the backing 144 so that all strips 100A-E may be marked at once.The unused strips 100B-E are stored for later use. Optionally, thepackage backing length 154 is greater than the length 108 of each of theplurality of adjacent strips 100A-E and the package backing 144.Optionally, the package backing 144 includes a hanger hole 168 so thatthe package 142 may be hung on the wall of a retail store. The package142 described above allows for an inexpensive way to make the strips100A-E in that the strips 100A-E may be cut from a single piece of papercardstock or paper board by a laser. Optionally, the plurality of strips100A-E are covered with plastic to protect against moisture.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 18-19

FIGS. 18-19 depict another embodiment of an oil level visualizationsystem in which a strip is used instead of the user's dipstick. Moreparticularly, like the previous embodiments, the system includes anengine 12 comprising an oil reservoir 14 configured to hold oil. Asmentioned before, the oil reservoir 14 may include a dipstick tube. Thestrip 200 has a top end 202, a bottom end 204, a length 206 extendingfrom the top end 202 to the bottom end 204, a width 208 perpendicular tothe length 206, and a thickness 210 perpendicular to the width 208 andthe length 206. The strip 200 is preferably comprised of a heatresistant non oil-absorbent material, such as plastic. The systemfurther includes an oil absorbent material, such as a paper-basedmaterial. The oil absorbent material may be attached to the strip 200using a fastener. For example, in one embodiment, the oil absorbentmaterial is in the form of a tube 214, the tube 214 comprising a hollowinterior 216 receiving the strip 200. The oil absorbent material formingthe tube 214 may be positioned on (e.g., slid over) the strip 200 by theuser or the manufacturer. At least the bottom end 204 of the strip 200and the tube 214 are inserted into the oil reservoir 14 and oil from theoil reservoir 14 is absorbed to the tube 214 to provide a stain on thetube 214 visible to the naked eye.

Optionally, prior to inserting the tube 214 into the oil reservoir 14,the tube 214 comprises at least one indicia 222 visible to the nakedeye, the indicia 222 configured to provide a reading on the oil level inthe oil reservoir 14 to a user. As mentioned previously, a user may drawthe indicia 222 on the oil absorbent material or the indicia 222 may bepre-labelled by the manufacturer. Optionally, the bottom end 204 of thestrip 200 is inserted into the oil reservoir 14 before the tube 214.

Optionally, the strip 200 comprises a bottom flange 224 adjacent to thebottom end 204 of the strip 200. The bottom flange 224 is preferablydesigned to prevent the tube 214 from contacting the sidewalls of thedipstick tube of the oil reservoir 14. The bottom flange 224 ispreferably also designed to prevent the tube 214 from falling off thestrip 200. Thus, the tube 214 may comprise a tube width 218 parallel tothe strip width 208 and a tube thickness 220 parallel to the stripthickness 210, and the bottom flange 224 may comprise a bottom flangewidth 226 parallel to the strip width 208 and a bottom flange thickness228 parallel to the strip thickness 210 and the bottom flange width 226may be greater than the tube width 218 and the bottom flange thickness228 may be greater than the tube thickness 220. (The bottom flange 224is preferably integral to the strip 200 (e.g., the strip 200 and thebottom flange 224 are a single piece of plastic). Optionally, the bottomflange 224 is rounded and the aforementioned bottom flange width 226 andthickness 228 refer to the maximum width and thickness of the bottomflange 224 being larger than the maximum width 218 and thickness 220,respectively, of the tube 214.

Optionally, the system further includes a tube stop 230 comprising atube stop slot 232 that is slid from the strip top end 202 toward thetube 214 and the strip bottom end 204. The tube stop slot 232 receivesthe strip 200 (meaning that the strip 200 passes through the tube stopslot 232). The tube stop slot 232 extends the full length of the tubestop 230. (The tube stop length is parallel to the strip length 206).The tube stop slot 232 is preferably located in the center of the tubestop width 236, discussed below. Optionally, the tube stop 230 comprisesa fastener configured to attach the tube stop 230 to the strip 200. Forexample, similar to a cable tie, the strip 200 may comprise a pluralityof teeth 212 spaced along the strip length 206 and the tube stopfastener may comprise a ratchet 234 configured to engage the pluralityof teeth 212 and allow the tube stop 230 to travel from the strip topend 202 towards the tube 214 and the bottom end 204 of the strip 200.The ratchet 234 of the tube stop 230 is configured to prevent the tubestop 230 from traveling in the reverse direction (towards the top end202 of the strip 200) at least without a user manipulating the ratchet234 similar to a reusable cable tie. Optionally, the tube stop 230comprises a tube stop width 236 parallel to the strip width 208 and atube stop thickness 238 parallel to the strip thickness 210 and the tubestop width 236 (more particularly the maximum width of the tube stop230) is greater than the tube width 218 (more particularly the maximumwidth of the tube 214) and the tube stop thickness 238 (moreparticularly the maximum thickness of the tube stop 230) is greater thanthe tube thickness 220 (more particularly the maximum thickness of thetube 214). Optionally, the tube 214 is generally cylindrical in shape(so that the tube width 218 and thicknesses 220 are the tube diameter)and the tube stop 230 comprises a flat bottom end 240 configured tocontact the tube 214 and a rounded top end 242 and the tube stop 230tapers from the tube stop bottom end 240 to the tube stop top end 242.The tube stop 230 preferably functions as the top stop of the tube 214and also prevents the tube 214 from contacting the sidewalls of thedipstick tube of the oil reservoir 14. Thus, the tube stop 230 and thebottom flange 224 fasten the tube 214 to the strip 200 by sandwichingand thus immobilizing the tube 214.

Optionally, after fastening the tube stop 230 onto the strip 200, themethod includes sliding a top flange 244 having a slot 248 from thestrip top end 202 toward the tube 214 prior to inserting the strip 200into the oil reservoir 14. The top flange slot 248 receives the strip200. The top flange slot 248 extends the full length of the top flange244. (The top flange length is parallel to the strip length 206). Thetop flange slot 248 is preferably located in the center of the topflange width 250. Optionally, the top flange 244 includes side holes 249to save on material.

A purpose of the top flange 244 is to provide the user an indication ofhow far to insert the strip 200 into the oil reservoir 14. Thus, the topend of the strip 202 and the top flange 244 are not inserted in the oilreservoir 14. Instead, the top flange 244 preferably contacts the top ofthe oil reservoir 14. Thus, it will also be understood that since thebottom flange 224, tube 214 and tube stop 230 but not the top flange 244are designed to fit into the oil reservoir 14, e.g., the top of thedipstick tube, the top flange width 250 is greater than the bottomflange width 226, the tube width 218 and the tube stop width 236 and thetop flange thickness 252 is greater than the bottom flange thickness228, the tube thickness 220 and the tube top stop thickness 238.

Optionally, similar to the tube stop 230, the top flange 244 comprises aratchet 246 configured to engage the plurality of teeth 212 and allowthe top flange 244 to travel towards the bottom end 204 of the strip200.

Optionally, the user places his fingers between the top end 202 of thestrip 200 and the top flange 244 while inserting the strip 200 into theoil reservoir 14 so that he doesn't move the top flange 244 toward thestrip bottom end 204. Optionally, oil in the oil reservoir 14 isconfigured to absorb to the tube 214 at ambient temperature. Optionally,oil in the oil reservoir 14 is configured to absorb to the tube 214independent of the oil temperature. Optionally, the strip top end 202 istapered to allow the user to easily slide on the tube stop 230 and topflange 244.

Exemplary dimension of the strip length 206 are from about 12 inches toabout 28 inches, exemplary dimensions of the strip width 208 are fromabout 0.156 inches to about 0.187 inches, and exemplary dimensions ofthe strip thickness 210 is about 0.055 inches. Exemplary dimensions ofthe bottom flange 224 and tube stop 230 are from about 0.25 inches toabout 0.281 inches in width (widths are again denoted by numerals 226and 236) by from about 0.25 inches to about 0.281 inches in thickness(thicknesses are denoted by the numerals 228 and 238) by about 0.25inches in length (the lengths are not numbered in the drawings but areparallel to the strip length 206). Exemplary dimensions of the topflange 244 are about 1 inch wide (denoted by the numeral 250) by about0.312 inches thick (denoted by the numeral 252) by about 0.25 inches inlength (length is not numbered in the drawings but is parallel to thestrip length 206). Exemplary dimensions of the tube width and thickness218 and 220 (more particularly outer diameter) are from about 0.187inches to about 0.210 inches. It will be understood that theaforementioned dimensions are merely for illustrations purposes and isnot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirementsof the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will understand how tomake changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments to meettheir specific requirements or conditions. Changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Inaddition, the steps of any method described herein may be performed inany suitable order and steps may be performed simultaneously if needed.

Terms of degree such as “generally”, “substantially”, “about” and“approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation ofthe modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of atleast ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate themeaning of the word it modifies.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of using an oil level visualizationsystem comprising: a) providing an engine comprising an oil reservoirconfigured to hold oil, the oil reservoir comprising a dipstickconfigured to measure oil level in the oil reservoir; b) removing thedipstick from the oil reservoir; c) providing a strip having a top end,a bottom end, a length extending from the top end to the bottom end, awidth perpendicular to the length, and a thickness perpendicular to thewidth and the length; d) providing a tube comprised of an oil absorbentmaterial, the tube comprising a hollow interior receiving the strip; e)inserting at least the bottom end of the strip and the tube into the oilreservoir; and f) absorbing oil from the oil reservoir to the tube toprovide a stain on the tube visible to the naked eye.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the strip is comprised of a heat-resistant, non-oilabsorbent material.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the oil absorbentmaterial is a cellulosic material.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein,after step d), the method further comprises sliding a tube stopcomprising a tube stop slot from the strip top end toward the tube andthe strip bottom end, and further wherein the tube stop comprises afastener configured to attach the tube stop to the strip.
 5. The methodof claim 4 wherein the strip comprises a plurality of teeth spaced alongthe strip length and the tube stop fastener comprises a ratchetconfigured to engage the plurality of teeth and allow the tube stop totravel towards the tube and the bottom end of the strip.
 6. The methodof claim 5 wherein the ratchet of the tube stop is configured to preventthe tube stop from traveling towards the top end of the strip.
 7. Themethod of claim 4 wherein the tube comprises a tube width parallel tothe strip width and a tube thickness parallel to the strip thickness,wherein the tube stop comprises a tube stop width parallel to the stripwidth and a tube stop thickness parallel to the strip thickness andfurther wherein the tube stop width is greater than the tube width andfurther wherein the tube stop thickness is greater than the tubethickness.
 8. The method of claim 4 wherein the tube is generallycylindrical in shape and the tube stop comprises a flat bottom endconfigured to contact the tube and a rounded top end and further whereinthe tube stop tapers from the tube stop bottom end to the tube stop topend.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to step e) the tubecomprises at least one indicia visible to the naked eye, the indiciaconfigured to provide a reading on the oil level in the oil reservoir toa user.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein, step e) comprises insertingthe bottom end of the strip before the tube into the oil reservoir. 11.The method of claim 1 wherein the strip comprises a bottom flangeadjacent to the bottom end of the strip, wherein the tube comprises atube width parallel to the strip width and a tube thickness parallel tothe strip thickness, wherein the bottom flange comprises a bottom flangewidth parallel to the strip width and a bottom flange thickness parallelto the strip thickness and further wherein the bottom flange width isgreater than the tube width and further wherein the bottom flangethickness is greater than the tube thickness and step e) comprisesinserting the bottom flange before the tube into the oil reservoir. 12.The method of claim 11 wherein the bottom flange is rounded.
 13. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises sliding a topflange having a slot from the strip top end toward the tube prior tostep e).
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the top end of the stripand the top flange are not inserted in the oil reservoir during stepsa)-f).
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the strip comprises aplurality of teeth spaced along the strip length and the top flangecomprises a ratchet configured to engage the plurality of teeth andallow the top flange to travel towards the bottom end of the strip. 16.The method of claim 15 wherein the ratchet of the top flange isconfigured to prevent the top flange from traveling towards the top endof the strip.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the user places hisfingers between the top end of the strip and the top flange during stepse)-f).
 18. The method of claim 1 wherein oil in the oil reservoir isconfigured to absorb to the tube independent of the oil temperature. 19.A method of using an oil level visualization system comprising: a)providing an engine comprising an oil reservoir configured to hold oil,the oil reservoir comprising a dipstick configured to measure oil levelin the oil reservoir; b) removing the dipstick from the oil reservoir;c) providing a strip having a top end, a bottom end, a length extendingfrom the top end to the bottom end, a width perpendicular to the length,and a thickness perpendicular to the width and the length; d) providingan oil absorbent material attached to the strip, the oil absorbentmaterial comprised of a material different than the material comprisingthe strip; e) inserting at least the bottom end of the strip and the oilabsorbent material into the oil reservoir; and f) absorbing oil from theoil reservoir to the oil absorbent material to provide a stain on theoil absorbent material visible to the naked eye.
 20. An oil levelvisualization system comprising: a) a strip comprised of aheat-resistant, non-oil absorbent material and having a top end, abottom end, a length extending from the top end to the bottom end, awidth perpendicular to the length, and a thickness perpendicular to thewidth and the length; b) a plurality of teeth spaced about the striplength; c) a tube comprised of an oil absorbent material, the tubecomprising a hollow interior receiving the strip, a tube width parallelto the strip width and a tube thickness parallel to the strip thickness,the tube width greater than the strip width and the tube thicknessgreater than the strip thickness, the tube comprised of a differentmaterial than the strip; d) a rounded bottom flange fixed to the stripbottom end and comprising a bottom flange width parallel to the stripwidth and a bottom flange thickness parallel to the strip thickness andfurther wherein the bottom flange width is greater than the tube widthand further wherein the bottom flange thickness is greater than the tubethickness; e) a tube stop located between the tube and the strip topend, the tube stop comprising a tube stop ratchet configured to engagethe plurality of teeth and allow the tube stop to travel towards thetube and the bottom end of the strip, the tube stop comprising a tubestop width parallel to the strip width and a tube stop thicknessparallel to the strip thickness and further wherein the tube stop widthis substantially the same size as the bottom flange width and the tubestop thickness is substantially the same size as the bottom flangethickness; and f) a top flange located between the tube stop and the topend of the strip, the top flange comprising a top flange ratchetconfigured to engage the plurality of teeth and allow the top flange totravel towards the tube stop, the tube and the bottom end of the strip.